Sharing the journey
See the original article here : BOLD JOURNEY MAGAZINE
Meet Andrew Holmes
January 13, 2025
We recently connected with Andrew Holmes and have shared our conversation below.
Andrew, thank you so much for making time for us today. We’re excited to discuss a handful of topics with you, but perhaps the most important one is around decision making. The ability to make decisions is a key requirement for anyone who wants to make a difference and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your decision-making skills.
I developed my decision-making skills through a mix of real-life experiences, intentional learning, and reflection. Early on, I learned the value of trial and error—every choice I made, whether successful or not, taught me something about evaluating risks and anticipating outcomes. My father would consistently remind me to consider logic when making decisions. He trained me to ask myself “If this, then what?” ask I considered the situation. As I grew up, I actively sought knowledge by reading, attending workshops, and observing how seasoned professionals handled tough decisions. Over time, I realized the importance of stepping back to think strategically, able to consider not just immediate impacts but long-term consequences. Feedback has also been invaluable—conversations with mentors and peers as well as conflict and failure have helped me see perspectives I hadn’t considered and refine my approach. Each decision I’ve made, big or small, has been a building block, shaping my confidence and ability to tackle challenges with clarity and focus. Of course, the hard knocks of operating a business has helped learn to make better decisions too!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am thrilled to share a bit about my journey and the work we do at Blockhouse. As a women-owned business based in Pittsburgh, our mission is to revolutionize homebuilding through modular construction. What excites me most about our work is the intersection of innovation, quality, and sustainability. Modular construction allows us to deliver homes faster and with less environmental impact while maintaining exceptional design and craftsmanship.
What’s truly special about Blockhouse is our collaborative approach. We prioritize transparency and partnership throughout every step of the building process, ensuring our clients feel empowered and connected to their projects.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about expanding our services to include new product offerings, such as modular accessory dwelling units (ADUs), truly Passive homes that are finished with only the best quality of finishes. While we are consistently looking to improve our product we are also strengthening our partnerships within our community to offer a seamless, fully integrated building experience. Whether we’re creating a custom home or an ADU, our focus remains the same: crafting spaces that are thoughtful, sustainable, and built to last.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: resilience, adaptability, and the ability to build meaningful relationships. Each of these has shaped not only how I navigate challenges but also how I approach opportunities and growth.
Resilience taught me to persist in the face of setbacks. In any venture, especially in construction, there are obstacles that test your commitment. Staying focused on the end goal while learning from failures has been invaluable. To develop resilience, I recommend cultivating a mindset where challenges are seen as opportunities for growth—focus on what you can control and always look for solutions.
Adaptability has been critical in an ever-changing industry like construction, where trends, technologies, and client needs are constantly evolving. Staying open to learning, even after years in the field, allows you to stay ahead. For those starting out, embrace lifelong learning—read widely, seek mentors, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
Finally, building meaningful relationships has had the greatest impact on my personal and professional growth. Collaboration and trust are foundational in any industry, but especially in one as team-driven as ours. To cultivate strong relationships, focus on listening, showing empathy, and delivering on your promises. Be intentional about networking and seek out opportunities to connect authentically with others.
For those early in their journey, remember that success isn’t a straight path. Be patient, stay curious, and surround yourself with people who inspire you to be your best. The combination of persistence, adaptability, and collaboration will take you far.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely, we’re always excited to explore opportunities to partner and collaborate! At Blockhouse, we believe that the best projects are born from strong, aligned partnerships that combine expertise, creativity, and a shared vision.
We’re particularly looking to collaborate with architects, designers, developers, and sustainability-focused organizations who share our passion for reimagining how homes are built. We’d also love to connect with like-minded companies in Pittsburgh and beyond that are aligned with our commitment to innovation and transparency in construction.
It is interesting to be asked this question, because we have had several internal introspective conversations amongst the team where we have discussed the need to build a relationship that would allow Blockhouse to solidify itself as a generational business. Our core group is all committed to our mission, but growth is hard and a partner who believed as much as we do could help us deliver more quality homes to more people.
If you’re reading this and think we might be a great fit to work together—whether it’s on a new modular project, sustainable design ideas, or expanding community impact—we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us through our website, www.blockhouseresidential.com Let’s build something remarkable together!
